05 Kaitaia to Wellsford
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 25-02-2021
Route Summary
Route 05 of this tour of the North Island continues south using only paved roads. The scenery is beautiful and the roads are thrilling as you travel through forests. This route uses the Hokianga vehicle ferry between Kohukohu and Rawene, NZ$20.00 for light vehicles. I have awarded 4**** stars because of the great twisty roads and scenery.
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Verdict
Duration
6h 56m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
273.47 km
Countries
RP 15. Pakia Hill Lookout.
RouteXpert Review
Route 05 of this tour of the North Island continues south using only paved roads.After just 10 minutes of starting this route, you will be entering the Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve on State Highway 1 (SH1).
The Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve consists of a large forested area (2944 ha). It is home to a wide variety of birds and animals, many of which are regionally and nationally threatened. It is an important site for the long-term maintenance of North Island brown kiwi and kūkupa (New Zealand pigeon) populations. It is also one of the few sites where the threatened freshwater fish, the short-jawed kokopu, has been recorded.
Mangamuka also contains one of the highest quality waterways left in Northland, the Mangamuka River.
The rolling hill slopes covered in towai forest and manuka/kanuka shrubland form part of a remnant forest that links locally to Mangataipa Scenic Reserve and Raetea Forest. As development and deforestation continue to diminish forest habitats like this, pristine areas such as Mangamuka become more and more important for the survival of native species.
The highest point of this route is at RP 3, Mangamuka summit 383 m, and then the descent from here is on an incredibly twisty and beautiful section of the SH1 through pristine native forest. As the road starts to straighten out you'll be running alongside the Mangamuka River.
I have suggested a coffee stop at Mangamuka Stores, if you watched the YouTube video link on the previous route of this tour (04), you will see that Pavlin a German traveller from Motorcycle Adventures gave the Mangamuka Stores high praise because of their 'Pay it Forward' scheme. I would like to share their fantastic attitude by recommending a stop here.
See Pavlin's review at 9:43 on this video: https//youtu.be/bn_npTFg7fM
You will leave the SH1 now and follow the Mangamuka River to RP 8 where you will catch the Hokianga vehicle ferry between Kohukohu and Rawene, The cost in 2021 is NZ$20.00 for light vehicles. The ferry service operates seven days a week, with departure times 7:15am Earlybird departure (weekdays only, excluding public holidays), 7:45am, 8:30am, 9;00am and then on the hour every hour until 8pm. You can buy tickets on board the ferry. Have a coffee onboard or at the Boatshed Cafe when you land.
You will cross over on of the many inlets of the Mangamuka River and join the State Highway 12 (SH12) also known as the Twin Coast Highway. You stay on this road for the next 170 kms as you head down the Kauri Coast.
Rangi Point and North Head sand dunes are visible from RP 13. Spiritually significant to local Maori, the North Head Dunes are natural wonder. The area contains an array of interesting features, from sacred areas that visitors are asked to respect, to huge sand sculptures and massive sand canyons. A gallery of natural erosion, a world of shifting sands, wind scarred bluffs and delicate temporary overhangs. RP 14 at South Head viewpoint offers you some fantastic views, as does RP 15 at Pakia Hill Lookout.
The next few kms will take you through rolling hillsides with lush green pastures, more reminiscent to Europe than some of the previous scenery, This scenery changes again when you arrive at RP 17, the start of the Waipoua Forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland. Waipoua is an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds. The Twin Coast Highway through the forest is memorable for the natural gateways created by huge kauri trees, the fringing of colourful ferns along the road's edge and the thrilling nature of the constantly twisting and turning road. At RP 18 you can visit Tāne Mahuta. Tāne Mahuta is the most famous tree in New Zealand. Its age is unknown but is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,000 years. It is the largest Kauri known to stand today. Kauri are among the world's mightiest trees, growing to over 50 m tall, with trunk girths up to 16 m, and capable of living for over 2,000 years.
Leaving the forest, the landscape reverts back to rolling hills and rich pastures with cattle and sheep.
The town of Dargaville is next.
Dargaville is built along the edge of the wide Northern Wairoa River, two and a half hours drive north-west of Auckland. Maori settlements and marae (meeting places) have been scattered around the area for hundreds of years.
The township of Dargaville was established by Irish businessman Joseph McMullen Dargaville in the 1870s, during the heyday of kauri felling and gum digging. It was largely settled by Dalmatian immigrants (Croatian), whose descendants still live there today. Dairy farming is the main local industry; the district also produces around two thirds of New Zealand’s kumara (sweet potato) crop. I have suggested a lunch stop here at Jo's Restaurant where you'll have a good selection of delicious home made food. The end of the route is 1hr 15mins from here.
Cross over the Wairoa River at Dargaville and you'll notice that the landscape has become more flat and marshy as you head towards the huge Kaipara Harbour delta formed by the confluence of several large rivers.
RP 28 is the end of the Twin Coast Highway and you'll rejoin SH1 for 20 minutes to take you to the end of the route at Wellsford.
Wellsford is a busy country town serving the local farming and horticultural community. There is a selection of hotels and motels below in the links.
Auckland is a further 1 hour south on the SH1 for those wishing to complete their 5 day tour.
Enjoy.
RP 3. Twin Coast Highway through the Maungataniwha Forest.
RP 8. Hokianga vehicle ferry between Kohukohu and Rawene.
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Disclaimer
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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